Bagpipes ban on Vancouver streets not likely to fly with council, mayor says

By IAN AUSTIN, The ProvinceApril 5, 2012

New Busker Look for Willie

Award-winning bagpiper Kyle Banta is all dressed up with nowhere to blow.  The 22-year-old wields a mean pipe -- he’s won contests around North America -- but a change of policy at city hall means Banta won’t be able to share his talent on the streets of Vancouver. An engineering department review of the city’s busking permits determined that four instruments were responsible for too many noise complaints -- bagpipes, bongos, drums and tambourines. So the city quietly changed its policy -- no busking permits will be permitted for those four instruments. So now the kilt-clad Banta can only look the part and parade his pipe proudly through the streets of Vancouver -- as long as he doesn’t blow a single note.

So The Province sought out Mayor Gregor Robertson, a Scotsman so proud of his heritage that he wore a kilt to his inauguration last December. “The clans won’t stand for it!” Robertson said in jest when told of the music edict. “I’ve asked city staff to review this issue. “Buskers play a very important role in making Vancouver’s streets lively and dynamic, particularly in our vibrant downtown.” The mayor expects council to once again allow the pealing of the pipes. “Council won’t support an outright ban on specific instruments,” promised the mayor. “My first reaction is that a complete ban on bagpipes and percussion instruments across the city is ridiculous and culturally insensitive.” (more)
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Don Quixote Note: In Vernon  Street Performance & Busking license is  $10.00 Annually with no restrictions on instruments.